Table of Contents
Table of Contents
1. God Speaks
Our Talk: The Real World
Words Have Value
God Speaks!
People Speak
Words Interpret
Genesis 1 and Our Talk
Getting Personal: Communication Self-Evaluation
2. Satan Speaks
Paradise Lost
Dramatic Change, Lasting Trouble
Many Voices, Many Interpretations
Listening to Lies
Accusations and Blame
A Restless Evil
The War of Words
Genesis 3 and Our Words
Getting Personal: A Time for Confession
3. The Word in the Flesh
Our Tendency to Forget
The Coming of the Word
The War Beneath the War of Words
Life Is War
The Right Resources for the Struggle
Everything We Need
Personal Redemptive Rule
The Gospel and Your Talk
Getting Personal: Christ and Your Talk
4. Idol Words
Root and Fruit
Ruling Desires
The Elevation of Desire
The Great Exchange
Putting Communication in the Right Drawer
Getting Personal: Getting to the Heart of Communication Problems
Part 2: A New Agenda for Our Talk
5. He Is King!
Understanding God’s Sovereignty
Getting Personal: The Battle for Control
6. Following the King for All the Wrong Reasons
Whose Dream? Which Bread?
Physical Bread and Spiritual Deception
Whose Dream—Christ’s or Yours?
Recognizing the Signs
Disillusioned Disciples
What Happens When the Dream Is Gone?
Your Dreams and Your Talk
Getting Personal: Getting to the Heart of Your Talk
7. Speaking for the King
Called to Be Ambassadors
The Mission of the King
The Method of the King
Getting Personal: Speaking as an Ambassador
8. Getting to the Destination
Practical Steps to the Destination
The Blessing of God’s Way
Speaking Out of Hope
Getting Personal: Rebuilding the Causeway
9. Citizens in Need of Help
Why Is Confrontation So Scary?
The Fruit of Confrontation Gone Wrong
A Very Different Way
Your Talk and Sin’s Deceitfulness
The Presence and Power of Indwelling Sin
Each One a Helper, Each Needing Help
Frequency: An Everyday Readiness
Spirit: The Humility of the Gospel
The Message: Encouragement to Persevere
A Model of Biblical Confrontation
Getting Personal: Examining Your Confrontation Style
10. On the King's Mission
It’s Been His Mission from the Beginning
The Mission in Sharper Focus
Love Your Neighbor as Yourself
How Will We Deal with Sin?
The Middle Way of Love
The Great Commission
The Great Commission as a Lifestyle
Getting Personal: Whose Mission, Yours or the King’s?
Part 3: Winning the War of Words
11. First Things First
The Foundation of Repentance: Hearts that Embrace the Gospel
Consideration: The First Step of Repentance
The Heart Behind the Struggle
Confession: The Second Step of Repentance
Commitment: The Third Step of Repentance
Change: The Final Step of Repentance
Getting Personal: Taking Time to Examine Your Heart
12. Winning the War of Words
Words Matter; Words Can Destroy
What Winning Looks Like
Winning Is a Journey
Getting Personal: Strategies for War
13. Choosing Your Words
Preparing to Choose the Right Words
Choosing Your Words
Choosing Words of Truth
Choosing Words of Love
Choosing Words of Restraint
Choosing Words of Grace
Choosing Words of Forgiveness
World of Evil or Tool for Good?
Getting Personal: A Final Assessment